Lowdown on sleep apnea could save your life

By Richard Shank

Thursday

Apr 25, 2013 at 12:01 AM

Benjamin Franklin coined the phrase "Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise," but to the 18 million Americans who suffer from sleep apnea, a good night's sleep can be a rare occurrence.

This topic is timely in that the Better Sleep Council has declared May as "Better Sleep Month."

Wikipedia defines sleep apnea as a sleep disorder characterized by abnormal pauses in breathing or instances of abnormally low breathing.

Even though it doesn't garner the attention in the news media like other diseases such as heart and lung ailments and cancer, sleep apnea is an affliction of growing concern and can be deadly.

I admit to being one of the 18 million people who have sleep apnea, but thanks to the medical staff at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center (HRMC), the tables are turned and a sleep-deprived night is, for the most part, a distant memory.

The Sleep Diagnostic Center at HRMC has published a list of the 12 indicators of sleep disorders, which include a grinding or clenching of teeth while sleeping, along with involuntary movement of arms and legs.

Other symptoms include pauses in breathing and a feeling of suffocation during sleep. Repeated tossing and turning, coupled with loud snoring, are other key indicators of a sleep disorder.

So it should come as no surprise that sleep apnea sufferers awaken each morning to greet a new day feeling far less than rested. Many feel tired and irritated and, by midday, are exhausted and are yearning for a nap. It is not uncommon for these sleep-deprived individuals to suffer from early-morning headaches or heartburn. For some who go untreated, sleep apnea can also result in death.

Law enforcement has added sleep apnea as a threat to public safety because an increasing number of motorists fall asleep these days while driving.

How many times have you witnessed a person falling asleep at an inopportune time in the middle of a conversation, during dinner, or while attending a movie or other public event?

For me, the onset of sleep apnea started in about 2005, when my sleeping patterns underwent major changes. A typical night's sleep included eight or more disruptions in sleep. Often it took more than an hour to go to sleep.

At first, it was easy to blame the sleep deprivation on the normal stresses of life, including a fast-paced job that required travel to the far corners of the state, but, at this point, it seemed there had to be more to the story.

A four-mile walk to start the day provided a lift in energy, but by the end of the workday, it seemed there was little energy left for the evening hours.

While driving one day in Harper County, I caught myself falling asleep behind the wheel of a car. Now, that incident really got my attention.

Then, waking up one morning while gasping for air, I decided it was time to seek a medical opinion, and a Hutchinson physician wasted little time in making reservations for me to spend a night at the Sleep Diagnostic Center.

A mostly sleepless night at the Sleep Diagnostic Center confirmed suspicions that I had sleep apnea.

With the diagnosis in hand, it was time to be fitted for a Continuous Positive Airflow Pressure (CPAP) machine, which includes a pair of straps hooked to a machine that is designed to blow air up your nostrils at a pressure high enough to keep one's airwaves open during sleep.

The thought of using a CPAP machine every night was not something that would make anyone happy, but after three weeks, the rewards and benefits of doing so greatly exceeded the inconvenience. These days, I wouldn't leave Rome or home without the machine packed in my luggage.

Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System faced this issue head-on by opening the Sleep Diagnostic Center in 2007.

The center provides a relaxed atmosphere with all the comforts of home, including bedrooms and private bathrooms. Also, the center provides rooms to accommodate individuals with special disability requirements.

Risk factors for sleep apnea include obesity, persons over the age of 65 and smokers. Also, genetic tests have proven sleep apnea can be hereditary, and men outnumber women in numbers of sufferers. Consequently, weight loss or a reduction in smoking can reduce the effects of a sleeping disorder.

Medical experts state there may be as many undiagnosed sleep apnea sufferers as there are those who are undergoing treatment.

Thanks to Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System's Sleep Diagnostic Center, professional help is close at hand and those who follow the doctor's advice, including yours truly, can attest to an increased energy level and a healthier lifestyle.